Swimming Pool Chemicals FAQ

What is pool water testing?
 
This is an important process that needs to be undertaken on a weekly basis. Using a water testing kit, you need to check the pH levels, the alkalinity of the water and chlorine levels. Ensuring that all chemicals are balanced helps to preserve your pool surfaces, equipment in the pool and reduce skin and eye irritation.  You can also bring a sample in to our store for a free analysis and to check your current salt levels
 
What is ppm?
 
Ppm or Parts Per Million is a way to express very dilute concentrations of substances. This is the usual description used for the concentration of something that is contained in water. One ppm is the equivalent of 1 milligram of a product per one litre of water.
 
What is pH Increaser?
 
pH Increaser is a granular product (usually) that corrects acidic pool water and slows the rapid dissipation of chlorine that acidic water causes. Acidic water can cause eye irritation, corrode pool equipment and etch the walls of your pool. The initial recommended dosage of most pH is dependent upon the volume of water in your pool and the current pH level.

Our recommended pH stabiliser is Bioguard Balance Pack 200

 
What is pH Decreaser?
 
pH Decreaser or Reducer is comprised of sodium bisulfate and is generally added to your pool when the pH level rises above 7.6 ppm. It helps to correct water conditions so that your other pool chemicals are able to work more effectively. By correcting the water condition, you can prevent skin irritation and damage to your pool and equipment.
 
Our recommended pH decreaser is Either Liquid Pool Acid or a granular Acid  like Bioguard Lo ‘n’ slo
 
What is Total Alkalinity?
 
Total alkalinity or TA is the measure of the total of the alkaline substances that the water contains. In a pool, the main concern is bicarbonate alkalinity which needs to be anywhere between 80ppm and 120ppm. TA in this range prevents any rapid changes to pH levels and helps to stabilise those levels.
 
Low TA causes plaster to become etched, the corrosion of metals, staining of the pool floor and walls and a green tint in the water. It can also burn eyes and cause pH to bounce up and down at random. High TA makes pH levels hard to adjust and they can cause the water to become cloudy. High TA makes your pool constantly require acid and chlorine is no longer an efficient disinfectant.

Our recommended Alkalinity Increaser is Bioguard Balance Pack 100

What is Chlorine?
 
Chlorine is a disinfectant (or sanitiser) used to kill bacteria and control algae in your pool water to make it safe for swimming. Chlorine can be added by either using a salt water chlorinator or by using liquid or granular chlorine
What is chlorine stabiliser?
 
About 90% of chlorine can be destroyed by direct sun in about two hours. Chlorine stabiliser is added to the pool water to extend the life of the chlorine 8 – 10 times longer by protecting it from UV loss. It is a sunscreen for your chlorine

When do I add chlorine stabiliser?
 
The initial dose of chlorine stabilizer should be added to reach 60 ppm. If Cyanuric Acid levels drop below 30 ppm it should be added.

What type of chlorine sanitiser do you recommend with the use of chlorine stabiliser?
 
Many pool owners prefer convenience and like to use a sanitiser product that contains a stabiliser and a chlorinating product in one product (such as Bioguard Swim Clear or Bioguard Smart Sticks.  It is best to choose products containing a strong chlorine formula and which dissolve slowly and completely.
 
How do I add chlorine stabiliser to my pool?
 
An initial dose of 60 ppm of chlorine stabiliser should be added to the water in the pool. To reach 60 ppm add the recommended dose as prescribed by your local pool store normally between 1-2kg depending on the size of your pool. The granules should be mixed with a bucket of pool water and left in the bucket for a few minutes then should be added through the skimmer basket. The filter and pump should run for 24 hours without any backwash from the filter for at least 48 hours after the product is added. Stabiliser is very slow to dissolve and if there is too much backwash action, the product will simply be washed out before it has a chance to dissolve.
 
How much is too much stabiliser?
 
Contrary to popular belief, too much stabiliser does not “lock up” chlorine residual. The acceptable level of stabiliser is between 30 – 60ppm for a residential pool set up.

Salt Water Chlorinators

If you have a salt water chlorinator pool salt has to be added directly into the pool for effective chlorine production. Most chlorinators need a salt content between 3,500ppm to 6,000ppm depending upon make and model

View our range of pool chemicals.

Please do not hesitate to ask us if you need assistance with the chemicals for your pool.